Telangana CM Orders Illegal Mining Probe Since 2014

In the Telangana Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced on March 28 a comprehensive investigation by the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department into illegal mining activities across the state since its formation in 2014. The probe, ordered during a contentious budget session debate in Hyderabad, targets allegations of irregularities in mining leases and operations under both the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi government and the current Congress administration.

The announcement followed pointed accusations from BRS MLA T. Harish Rao against Raghava Constructions, a firm operated by relatives of Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy. Harish Rao claimed the company ran stone crushers in Kothwalguda, Shamshabad, without necessary mining licenses, environmental clearances, or permissions from the industries department. He detailed inspections in May 2025 and March 2026 that uncovered thousands of tonnes of unpermitted aggregates and the use of diesel generators without approval, leading to environmental damage near the Musi River and losses to the state exchequer. Harish Rao demanded the minister's resignation on moral grounds and called for a...